Dizzy display of sunflower power

Early sunflowers bloom in Pacific Biodiesel’s 115-acre demonstration project between Waikapu and Maalaea as viewed from the side of Kuihelani Highway on Tuesday morning. The biofuel crop is expected to yield more than 100 gallons of oil per acre. Entire plants will be harvested and used, not just the seeds. The central valley’s strong winds and challenging conditions are predicted to make the plants produce more oil. The first harvest for the 100-day crop is set for June. Sunflowers track the sun, moving east to west through the day, and slowly turn back to the east at night in a process called heliotropism.

Avery Chumbley

The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

A “semi-slug,” carrier of the rat lungworm disease, sticks to a garbage bag last week in Hana. Increasing numbers of the slug appear to be the cause of an outbreak of the disease that may have infected six people on Maui in the past three months.
• KAWIKA KAINA photo